variants
also skunk
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stings
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skunks
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
In this case, hospital staff who treated the Idaho man were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his symptoms to chronic comorbidities.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
Further research into the donor's medical history learned that the donor had received a scratch from a skunk in October 2024.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Further investigation revealed that the donor had become infected with the fatal virus after saving a kitten from a skunk.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
The skunk appears to have gotten rabies from a bat.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
In this case, hospital staff who treated the Idaho man were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his symptoms to chronic comorbidities.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
Further research into the donor's medical history learned that the donor had received a scratch from a skunk in October 2024.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Further investigation revealed that the donor had become infected with the fatal virus after saving a kitten from a skunk.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025
The skunk appears to have gotten rabies from a bat.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunks
Noun
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Pipes and sewers can be very dangerous for pets and wildlife and Roto-Rooter, with specialized equipment and personnel, has become a go-to call to save cats, dogs, turtles and more.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the year since its formation, the group has hosted two Christmas carols; held bi-weekly cleanups on Broadway; rallied residents to walk their dogs in the business corridor; weeded and placed new native plants at Promenade Park; encouraged the community to dine out on Broadway and more.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine bombs Russian energy infrastructure to defend civilians and destroy the Kremlin war machine.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Remind them their worth is non-negotiable When your child fails — gets cut from the team, bombs a test — remind them their value isn't up for debate.—
Jennifer Breheny Wallace,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Stylist Chrissy Rasmussen masters the layered medium-length look on clients.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Bette Davis masters a rare light comedy turn as Sherry's long-suffering secretary, with Jimmy Durante as a visitor from Broadway and Wizard of Oz (1939) good witch Billie Burke as the overwhelmed matriarch of the Stanley clan.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
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But for Hovland, the lingering frustration of missing Sunday singles and watching Harris English sit out for no fault of his own still stings.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Marty whips off his sport coat and throws it in the crowd.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Haynes defeats Hall in District 2 Shamaiye Haynes maintained a sizable lead over Juanrique Hall in District 2, which covers uptown and west Charlotte.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Six Flags Magic Mountain will fill the summer, fall and winter seasons in 2026 with an entertaining mix of Superman and Harley Quinn, Oktoberfest beers and Bavarian pretzels, killer clowns and blood curdling screams and Santa Claus and faux snow.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
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There are articles about Frank Sinatra and Michael Jordan, royals and rock stars, cowboys and clowns.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunks. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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